Keep up the festive spirit with these Boxing Day activities

The gifts have been opened and the turkey and sweets have been devoured.

Technically speaking, Christmas is over, but that doesn’t mean the merry-making has to be. Boxing Day will get us through the post-Christmas slump.

Celebrated on 26th December, Boxing Day is a great occasion to spend more time with family and friends – and continue to waive any immediate diet plans.

Here are some great ways to spend more time with loved ones while soaking up the last of the Christmas spirit, eating yet more food or if you feel so inclined, working it off instead.

We’re still celebrating

Don’t miss the final day of the family-friendly Winter Wonderland at Al Maryah Island. Catch a marching bands, ballet performance, story-telling session with Mrs Claus, arts and crafts activities, a flash mob and singing performances of Make A Wish, Prince Drummers and Frosted, which is inspired by the hit Disney film Frozen. The cosy winter cottages will host children’s activities such as cookie decorating, face painting and more. Free. 3pm-10pm. Visit: almaryahisland.ae

Carry on with that Christmas feeling in a sophisticated atmosphere at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. The festive afternoon tea at The Drawing Room features a rich assortment of savoury and sweet pastries, including almond stollen, spiced gingerbread loaf and Yule log. From AED 160+++ per person. Saadiyat Island. 2pm-6pm. Contact: 02 498 8888, stregissaadiyatisland.com

Feeling tired after cooking a Christmas dinner? Unwind at Namm Spa in Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi where if you book at least two preferred 60-minute spa treatments you can enjoy discounted rates for up to two people. From 759 for two treatments per person. Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street. 11am-10pm. Contact: 02 698 8300, dtadspa@dusit.com

Boxing Day is for lazing around and doing nothing, right? It’s ladies day at Saadiyat Beach Club on 26th December so you can do just that. Grab your gal pals and head over to experience the club’s facilities including the pristine beach and private pool. AED 90. Saadiyat Island. 8am-sunset. Contact: 02 656 3500, info@saadiyatbeachclub.ae

Kids aged four to 14 can put all that sugar to good use at the holiday camp at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resort. Special activities include swimming and watersports such as banana boating, kayaking, beach games, as well as a picnic and arts and crafts. AED 200. Corniche East. 9am-2pm. Contact: 02 677 3333, sheraton.resort@sheraton.com

Whether you ate too much and want to shed some of the guilt or just want to enjoy more time out with the family, then head to the ZSC Family Festival. You can try out the complex’s most popular sports including tennis and football, join in workshops for science, robotics, art and dance, visit a heritage area, go wall climbing and enjoy live entertainment. Free. Zayed Sports City, Saif Ghubash Street. 3pm-10pm. Contact: 02 403 4200, zsc.ae

Boxing Day is a big deal for footie fans. Catch the Premier League games on the big screen while enjoying even more food and drink with friends. Highlighted matches this year include Tottenham Hotspur vs Southampton and Manchester United vs Burnley. Popular sports bars include Blu Sky Lounge & Grill at Southern Sun Abu Dhabi, The Sportsman’s Arms at Zayed Sports Cit, NRG at Le Méridien Abu Dhabi and Velocity Sports Bar at Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi.